Aviat PITTS S-2B N6085U

Summary

On 24 April 2003 at about 18:35 local time, a Aviat PITTS S-2B registered N6085U was involved in an accident near Newport, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 April 2003 at 18:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Newport, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.5169, -77.1167

Aircraft

Aviat PITTS S-2B

Registration

N6085U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Harrisburg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03FA088

2 people died.

The pilot's improper decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude, which inhibited his ability to recover from an encountered flat spin. A factor related to the accident was the aft center of gravity, which was beyond the operational limit for the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an aerobatic training flight, a witness recalled that the airplane passed overhead "so close, it shook the house." A second witness observed the airplane in a "flat spin," making three or four rotations, before descending below a tree line. The airplane came to rest in an open field, with no associated debris path observed. The main wreckage was confined to the dimensions of the airplane, and all flight controls remained attached to the airplane. No abnormalities were noted with the airframe or engine. Weight and balance calculations revealed that the airplane was being operated above the maximum gross weight and beyond the aft C.G. limits, for operations in the aerobatic category. The C.G. range was exceeded beyond the aft limit by 1.1 inches to 1.9 inches. According to 14 CFR Part 91.303, Aerobatic flight, "No person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight...Below an altitude of 1,500 feet above the surface."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.